France will join Germany, Madrid, Portugal, Netherlands and Sweden as official candidates to host the 2018 Ryder Cup, Sports Minister Rama Yade announced here on Wednesday.
Since its creation in 1927 the biennial competition has only once been held outside Great Britain or Ireland in Europe - with Spain hosting the 1997 edition.
Yade described the Ryder Cup as a "legendary" event.
"Our country has incomparable advantages but we must continue to work without stopping," she told a press conference organised by the French Golf Federation.
Yade promised to devote all her energy and determination to backing the bid.
The winning candidate is due to be announced by the Ryder Cup Committee in April 2011.
The 2010 Ryder Cup is being held at Celtic Manor in Wales.
Copyright 2009 AFP Global Edition
